U.S. patent application number 10/889612 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for vehicle roof molding.
Invention is credited to Mikkaichi, Toshiki, Yoshida, Toshiya.
Application Number | 20050011158 10/889612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33475479 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mikkaichi, Toshiki ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Vehicle roof molding
Abstract
In this vehicle roof molding, a molding body has shelf sections
formed relative to the widthwise direction so as to oppose a bottom
surface of an upper wall separated by an interval, and a slide
plate is movably installed so as to be able to slide along the
longitudinal direction of the molding body at a location opposing
an opening of the shelf sections, and slide plate has elastic
sections that protrude towards the shelf sections and force the
slide plate towards the upper wall by receiving a reactive force
from the shelf sections. Opening can be opened and closed by
sliding slide plate.
Inventors: |
Mikkaichi, Toshiki;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Yoshida, Toshiya;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
33475479 |
Appl. No.: |
10/889612 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/716.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/716.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2003 |
JP |
2003-196520 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle roof molding comprising an elongate molding body
having an upper wall in which an opening is formed in the outer
surface thereof and a slide plate to opens and closes the opening;
wherein the molding body has shelf sections formed relative to the
widthwise direction so as to oppose and being apart from a reverse
surface of the upper wall, and the slide plate is movably installed
on the shelf sections corresponding to said opening so as to be
able to slide along the longitudinal direction of the molding body;
and, the slide plate has elastic sections that protrude towards the
shelf sections and bias the slide plate towards the upper wall by
receiving a reactive force from the shelf sections.
2. A vehicle roof molding according to claim 1, wherein the shelf
sections are formed by fold back parts that are bent back inward
from the upper wall in the widthwise direction of the upper
wall.
3. A vehicle roof molding according to claim 1, wherein the slide
plate has a tab on the top surface side of the slide plate which
abuts against the edge of the opening when the slide plate is moved
to the open position of the opening.
4. A vehicle roof molding according to claim 1, wherein the slide
plate has an engaging section that engages with the opening edge of
the opening and forms substantially a surface which is flush with
the upper wall when the slide plate is moved to the closed
position.
5. A vehicle roof molding according to claim 1, wherein side walls
extending from the shelf sections on both sides are formed in the
molding body over the entire length of the molding body, and the
side walls abut against bottom walls of the concave groove formed
in the body panel.
6. A vehicle roof molding according to claim 5, wherein the molding
body has a notch that has been partially removed in the vicinity of
the opening in one or both of the side walls, and the slide plate
has a projection, on the edge or reverse side thereof, to abut
against the edge of the notch when the slide plate is moved to an
open position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle roof molding
having a slide plate for opening and closing an opening.
[0003] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2003-196520, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the past, an opening was provided in a roof molding
attached to the roof of an automobile or other vehicle, and
mounting parts for attaching rooftop parts such as roof rails, roof
ski rack or roof luggage carrier were known to be fastened by
insertion into the opening. The opening was covered by a suitable
cover (e.g., cap) in the case of not attaching rooftop parts to the
roof.
[0006] Known examples of covers for covering the opening of a roof
molding included a cover having a window that is formed continuous
with the opening and a slide plate that opens and closes the
window. According to this type of cover, by opening the window by
sliding the slide plate, rooftop parts can be attached without
having to remove the cover (see, for example, Japanese Patent No.
3318046, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 7-329654).
[0007] In the case of the aforementioned sliding cover, extraneous
costs are incurred as a result of being composed of two parts
consisting of a cover having a window (cover body) and a slide
plate.
[0008] In addition, together with a level difference being formed
between the edges of the opening of the molding and the cover body,
a level difference is also formed between the plate body and the
slide plate, and these two level differences result in an
unattractive appearance.
[0009] Although hook-shaped (groove-shaped) guides are provided
opening towards the inside in both sides in the widthwise direction
of the cover body, when molding the cover body by injection molding
and so forth, since the groove sections of the guides are undercut,
a slide type is required for the metal mold that forms them,
thereby resulting in higher metal mold costs.
[0010] Since the aforementioned guides are provided on both sides
in the widthwise direction of the window, the opening width of the
window is wide and difficult to handle. Consequently, when bolts
and so forth are inserted into the window, the bolts end up
contacting the edges of the opening, thereby possibly damaging the
molding or chassis and so forth.
[0011] A locking plate provided near one end of the window in the
lengthwise direction has a gap into which the slide plate can be
inserted between the locking plate and the cover body, and since
the peripheral guides obstruct the formation of this gap, the
locking plate and cover body cannot be integrally molded. Thus, a
separately molded locking plate must be attached to the cover body,
thereby resulting in increased costs.
[0012] Since the slide plate employs a structure in which it is
hidden behind the cover body when the window is opened, the size of
the opening of the roof molding is required to be at least twice
the size of the window required for attaching rooftop parts (e.g.,
roof rails). Consequently, as a result of a large opening being
formed in the roof molding, there is insufficient rigidity thereby
resulting in the risk of breakage in the vicinity of the opening
when the roof molding is installed.
[0013] In addition, since the length of the cover body becomes
long, there is the risk of it becoming detached from the opening
due to thermal contraction in the lengthwise direction. In the
cover described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 7-329654, one end of the cover body is fused to the
molding, and the other end engages with the edge of the opening.
However, since both the structure and production process are
complex, costs ends up increasing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, the
object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle roof
molding that enables the parts that open and close the opening of
the molding to be integrally molded, and the size of the opening to
be made small.
[0015] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present
invention provides a vehicle roof molding comprising an elongate
molding body having an upper wall in which an opening is formed in
the outer surface thereof and a slide plate to open and close the
opening; wherein,
[0016] the molding body has shelf sections formed relative to the
widthwise direction so as to oppose and be apart from a reverse
surface of the upper wall, and
[0017] the slide plate is movably installed on the shelf sections
corresponding to said opening so as to be able to slide along the
longitudinal direction of the molding body; and,
[0018] the slide plate has elastic sections that protrude towards
the shelf sections and bias the slide plate towards the upper wall
by receiving a reactive force from the shelf sections.
[0019] In this vehicle roof molding, the shelf sections can be
formed by fold back parts that are bent inwardly from the upper
wall in the cross-sectional direction of the upper wall.
[0020] The slide plate can have a tab, which abuts against the edge
of the opening when the slide plate is positioned at an open
position of the opening, on the outer surface of the slide
plate.
[0021] The slide plate can have an engaging section that engages
with the edge of the opening and forms substantially a surface
which is flush with the upper wall in the position the slide plate
is positioned at closed position of the opening.
[0022] The molding body may have sidewalls extending from the shelf
sections on both sides which are formed in the molding body over
the entire length thereof, and the sidewalls abut against concave
groove bottom walls formed in the body panel.
[0023] Moreover, the molding body may have a notch that is formed
at the position corresponding to the opening in one or both of the
sidewalls. The slide plate also has a projection, on the edge or
reverse surface thereof, capable of abutting against the edge of
the notch when the slide plate is moved to the open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of
an automobile (vehicle) on which the roof molding of the present
invention has been attached.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line
SA-SA of FIG. 1 showing the vicinity of a mounting section for
rooftop parts.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the vicinity
of an opening of a molding body.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a slide
plate.
[0028] FIG. 5A is a front view, and FIG. 5B is a side view showing
an example of a slide plate.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which an
opening is closed.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along
line SB-SB corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which an
opening is open.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along
line SC-SC corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 8.
[0033] FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a perspective view
showing a slide plate in a second embodiment of the roof molding of
the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing an example
of a roof molding that uses the slide plate shown in FIGS. 10A and
10B.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the
state in which an opening of the roof molding of FIG. 11 is
closed.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the
state in which an opening of the roof molding of FIG. 11 is
open.
[0037] FIG. 14A is a front view and FIG. 14B is a perspective view
showing a third example of a slide plate.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a fourth example of a
slide plate.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a front view showing a fifth example of a slide
plate.
[0040] FIG. 17 is a front view showing a sixth example of a slide
plate.
[0041] FIG. 18A is a front view and FIG. 18B is a perspective view
showing a seventh example of a slide plate.
[0042] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a first variation
of a roof molding.
[0043] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a first variation
of a roof molding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The following provides a detailed explanation of the present
invention based on its embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of
an automobile (vehicle) on which the vehicle roof molding of the
present invention (or simply, roof molding) is attached. FIGS. 2
through 9 are drawings for explaining a first embodiment of the
vehicle roof molding of the present invention.
[0046] In FIG. 1, concave grooves 4 are formed in both sides of a
roof 7 of an automobile (vehicle) 9 extending in the direction of
vehicle length. Roof moldings 1 are attached along these concave
grooves 4 so as cover them from the outside.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, concave grooves 4 are formed in a body
panel of vehicle 9 (and more specifically, in a joined section 5
between a roof outer panel 2 and a pillar outer panel 3).
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, a roof molding 1 is provided
with an elongate molding body 10 and a slide plate 20 to open and
close an opening 12 formed in an upper wall 11 of the molding body
10.
[0049] Molding body 10 comprises an elongate upper wall 11, shelf
sections 14a and 14b, which face each other relatively from
opposite sides in the widthwise direction (left and right
directions in FIG. 2) of upper wall 11. In addition, the shelf
sections 14a and 14b are formed opposed to and apart from reverse
surface 11b of upper wall 11 by fold back parts 13a and 13b that
are bent back to the inside in the widthwise direction of upper
wall 11, and side walls 18 and 19 extending from the shelf sections
14a and 14b on both sides, and the molding body is formed into a
shape having an approximately U-shaped cross-section so as to form
internal space 15 on the reverse side of the molding body.
[0050] The aforementioned sidewalls 18 and 19 are formed along the
longitudinal direction of molding body 10, and abut against bottom
wall 4b of concave groove 4 at their lower edges 18b and 19b.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, outer surface 11a of upper wall
11 of molding body 10 faces the opening side (upward in FIG. 2) of
concave groove 4, and functions as an ornamental surface (outer
surface 11a of upper wall 11 is hereinafter to be simply referred
to as an ornamental surface).
[0052] Examples of molding body 10 include (a) that in which
synthetic resin is co-extruded integrally onto a stainless steel or
other metal strip formed by cold roll forming, (b) that which is
formed from rigid synthetic resin only, and (c) that which is
formed from rigid synthetic resin in which a core element having
excellent expansion resistance (e.g., glass fiber) is embedded. In
the present embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3, the
molding is composed of roll formed metal section 10a, made of the
stainless steel, as the core element, and resin section 10b
co-extruded onto metal section 10a (equivalent to example (a)
above).
[0053] Lips 16 and 17 are provided to the outside of the side
sections of molding body 10 so as to abut elastically against outer
side wall 4a and inner side wall 4b of concave groove 4. Lips 16
and 17 are flexibly formed from soft resin, and integrally molded
with resin section 10b.
[0054] An opening 12 is formed in upper wall 11 of this molding
body 10. In addition, shelf sections 14a and 14b are formed in
opposition to reverse surface 11b of upper wall 11 and apart from
upper wall 11 by fold back parts 13a and 13b. Although described
later in detail, a slide plate 20 to open and close the
aforementioned opening 12 is installed on shelf sections 14a and
14b and is able to slide along the longitudinal direction of
molding body 10.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, roof moldings 1 are provided
on both sides in the direction of vehicle width of vehicle 9 and
each roof molding has two openings 12 in the front and rear end of
molding body 10 respectively corresponding to mounting sections 8a
for attaching roof rails 8 to the vehicle (see FIG. 1). As shown in
FIG. 3, openings 12 are formed into an elongate rectangular shape
along the longitudinal direction of molding body 10.
[0056] Molding body 10 is attached, at places which avoid opening
12, by fastening clips (not shown) attached to the reverse surface
11b of upper wall 11 or fastening locking members (not shown) fixed
to the concave grooves 4, for example.
[0057] A bracket 6 having welded nuts 6a is secured by welding to
bottom wall 4b of concave groove 4 corresponding to opening 12.
[0058] The flanges 18a and 19a which vent inwardly are formed at
the lower ends of both side walls 18 and 19 of the molding 10 to
abut against the bottom wall 4b of the concave grooves 4. Notches
18c and 19c are formed at the position corresponding to the opening
12 of the flanges 18a and 19a so as to avoid interference with
bracket 6.
[0059] Roof rail 8 is attached to vehicle roof 7 by inserting
bolts, not shown, into welding nuts 6 and fastening bracket 6 to
mounting section 8a of roof rail 8 in the state in which opening 12
is open.
[0060] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a slide plate 20 for
opening and closing the opening 12. This slide plate 20 has a
rectangular plate body 21, and elastic sections 25 protruding to
the outside from the vicinity of corners 24c of edge 24 of plate
body 21. The plate body 21 is provided with an engaging section 22
protruding from a peripheral edge 21c so as to engage with opening
12, and a tab 26 protruding from an upper surface 22a of the
engaging section 22.
[0061] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5A, 5B and 7, an outer surface 22b
of engaging section 22 of slide plate 20 is formed in the shape of
a rectangular frame so as to align with an edge 12a (opening edge)
of opening 12. The inside of engaging section 22 is a recess 23
that is indented from protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22.
As a result, when slide plate 20 is slid, although opening edge 12a
abuts against engaging section 22, it does not abuts against the
recess 23, thereby it is possible to prevent scratching of the
recess 23. In FIG. 6, for example, although the indication of depth
d of recess 23 is exaggerated to clearly demonstrate that recess 23
is indented from protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22, it may
also be of a degree that cannot be discerned visually. The
preferable range of depth d of recess 23 is about 0.1 to 5 mm.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, the height of engaging section 22 of
slide plate 20 (the height from peripheral edge 21c of plate body
21 to protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22) is approximately
equal to the thickness of upper wall 11 in the vicinity of opening
edge 12a of molding body 10 (the combined thickness of metal strip
10a and resin section 10b). As a result, in the state that slide
plate 20 is in the closed position, protruding edge 22a of engaging
section 22 is substantially in the same plane as ornamental surface
11a and forms a flat surface (in which there are no level
differences).
[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, in the state that slide plate 20 is in
the closed position, engaging section 22 engages with opening edge
12a and prevents exposure of opening edge 12a. Consequently, the
edge of metal section 10a exposed in opening 12 is not visible,
resulting in an attractive appearance in which molding body 10 and
slide plate 20 appear to be integrated.
[0064] Engaging section 22 abuts against edge 12a of opening 12
when slide plate 20 is being slid to open and close the opening. In
order to prevent scratching of engaging section 22, burrs on edge
12a of opening 12 are preferably removed with a file or sandpaper.
Burrs are not required to be removed from the entire circumference
of edge 12a of opening 12, but may only be removed from those sites
where engaging section 22 makes contact.
[0065] In the present embodiment, burrs should at least be removed
from both side edges 12c of side section 12b in the direction of
opening (towards the top in FIGS. 3 and 8) of slide plate 20 where
protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22 makes contact. Since the
majority of surface 21a of plate body 21 is in the form of recess
23 that is indented from protruding edge 22a of engaging section
22. Removing burrs from the area where protruding edge 22a of
engaging section 22 abuts is effective to prevent surface 21a of
slide plate 20 from being scratched.
[0066] Furthermore, in the case of removing burrs over the entire
width of side section 12b of opening edge 12a in the direction of
opening of slide plate 20, as shown in FIG. 17, it is not necessary
to form recess 23 in engaging section 22. In the case that there is
no recess on upper surface 22a of engaging section 22, it is
possible to design the whole surface of the outer surface of the
engaging section 22 flush with the ornamental surface 11a of the
molding body 10 and this improves the appearance of the molding
body 10.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A and 5B, elastic sections 25 extend
from short sides 24a of edge 24 of plate body 21 in a direction
slightly inclined towards reverse side 21b of plate body 21 and to
the outside in the widthwise direction.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, slide plate 20 is installed
between upper wall 11 of molding body 10 and shelf sections 14a and
14b.
[0069] Slide plate 20 is housed within fold back parts 13a and 13b
in the state in which elastic section 25 are placed on shelf
sections 14a and 14b, and is able to slide in both directions in
the longitudinal direction of molding body 10 (left and right
directions in FIGS. 7 and 9).
[0070] Elastic sections 25 of slide plate 20 protrude from plate
body 21 towards shelf sections 14a and 14b, and tips 25a of said
elastic sections 25 at least abut against shelf sections 14a and
14b. As shown in FIG. 7, as a result of receiving a reactive force
from shelf sections 14a and 14b, elastic sections 25 are
elastically deformed so that tips 25a are deformed upwardly
compared to their condition when free from external forces (the
positions shown with the double-doted broken line of FIG. 7). Plate
body 21 is then biased towards ornamental surface 11a due to the
elastic force of elastic sections 25.
[0071] When slide plate 20 is moved to the open position, slide
plate 20 is pushed against upper wall 11 and becomes stationary due
to frictional force. Consequently, as long as slide plate 20 is not
operated, it is difficult to return in the direction in which it
closes opening 12, thereby facilitating the work of attaching
rooftop parts 8.
[0072] When operating slide plate 20, as a result of slide plate 20
pushing in so as to separate from upper wall 11, the frictional
force with upper wall 11 is reduced and slide plate 20 is able to
be moved easily. When the slide plate 20 is moved to the closed
position, slide plate 20 is engaged with opening 12 by the biasing
force of elastic sections 25. In this manner, opening 12 can be
opened and closed with an extremely simple operation, thereby
resulting in a superior feel of operation.
[0073] In addition, elastic sections 25 protrude to the outside in
the widthwise direction from plate body 21 so that outside sections
25b, which are the ends of slide plate 20 that protrude to the
outside in the widthwise direction, approach or abut against the
inner surface of fold back parts 13a and 13b. Consequently, when
slide plate 20 is displaced so as to shift from the center in the
widthwise direction of molding body 10, elastic sections 25 abut
against the inner surfaces of fold back parts 13a and 13b causing
them to receive reactive force from said fold back parts 13a and
13b. As a result, the action which returns slide plate 20 to the
center in the widthwise direction is realized and displacement of
slide plate 20 in the widthwise direction is restricted. Namely,
fold back parts 13a and 13b function as guides that guide slide
plate 20.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when slide plate 20 closes
opening 12 of molding body 10 (in the state in which slide plate 20
is in the fully closed position), plate body 21 is biased towards
ornamental surface 11a. Accordingly, engaging section 22 is engaged
with opening 12, outer surface 22b of engaging section 22 and
peripheral edge 21c extending further outwardly from engaging
section 22 abut against opening edge 12a and reverse surface 11b,
respectively. In addition, tab 26 protrudes further upwardly than
ornamental surface 11a.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when opening 12 of molding body
10 has been opened (in the state in which slide plate 20 is at the
fully open position), plate body 21 is depressed more than when
opening 12 is closed, elastic sections 25 bias edge 22a of engaging
section 22 toward reverse surface 11b of upper wall 11 so that edge
22a abuts against reverse surface 11b. The locations where slide
plate 20 makes contact with molding body 10 consist of tips 25a of
elastic sections 25, shelf sections 14a and 14b, protruding edge
22a of engaging section 22 and bottom surface 11b of upper wall 11,
and since contact is made over an extremely narrow surface area,
there is little frictional force and slide plate 20 can be slid
with a low amount of force.
[0076] Since tab 26 protrudes from protruding edge 22a of engaging
section 22, sliding of slide plate 20 can be stopped when its
contacts opening edge 12a. Namely, tab 26 functions as a stopper
that stops the sliding movement of slide plate 20 in the state in
which opening 12 is open. As a result, slide plate 20 is prevented
from going under the reverse side of upper wall 11 of molding body
10 and being unable to be pulled out.
[0077] When opening 12 of molding body 10 is being closed from the
open state, by pushing tab 26 by hand, for example, the sliding of
slide plate 20 can be started and slide plate 20 can be closed.
Slide plate 20 engages with opening 12 on its own as a result of
the biasing force applied by elastic sections 25 when it is
positioned directly below opening 12.
[0078] In this manner, according to the roof molding 1 of the
present embodiment, opening 12 can be opened and closed with an
extremely simple operation.
[0079] According to the present invention, since a slide plate can
be installed directly near the opening of a molding body, it is not
necessary to produce other members for guiding the sliding movement
of the slide plate and attach them to the molding body. Thus, it is
unnecessary to prepare such a cover member in the prior art. Since
a step in which the cover body is fused to the molding body is also
omitted, costs can be reduced.
[0080] In addition, it is possible to make the size of the opening
in the molding small. In other words, although the opening of the
prior art was required to be at least twice the size of the opening
of the present invention. The opening in the prior art needed to be
large enough for mounting roof-rails and for an opening to attach a
cover member. However, in the present invention, it is only
necessary for the opening to be of a size sufficient for mounting
the roof-rails. Thus, since the size of opening 12 can be made to
be half that or less of conventional products, in addition to
securing rigidity around opening 12 of molding body 10, the effects
of thermal contraction of slide plate 20 can be inhibited.
[0081] Here, a concrete explanation is provided regarding the
effects of thermal contraction of slide plate 20. Furthermore, this
explanation is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the
present invention.
[0082] In the case of, for example, forming slide plate 20 from ABS
resin and making length L of slide plate 20 10 cm, since the
coefficient of linear thermal expansion of ABS resin is
.alpha.=85.times.10.sup.-6/.degr- ee. C., elongation .DELTA.L in
the case temperature difference .DELTA.t is 40.degree. C. becomes
0.34 mm. The clearance (gap) between opening 12 and slide plate 20
should then be designed so as to allow for an elongation .DELTA.L
of slide plate 20 to roughly the degree described above. As a
result, the occurrence of strain resulting from both edges 24a on
the short side of plate body 21 simultaneously contacting edge 12a
of opening 12 can be inhibited. Since the gap between edges 24a on
the short side of plate body 21 and edge 12a of opening 12 (average
per one side) is equal to half of elongation .DELTA.L (.DELTA.L/2),
namely about 0.17 mm, a gap of this size is visually inconspicuous
thereby resulting in an attractive appearance.
[0083] Next, an explanation is provided of a second embodiment of
the roof molding of the present invention with reference to FIGS.
10 through 13.
[0084] In FIGS. 10 through 13, the same reference symbols as used
in FIGS. 1 through 9 are used to indicate the same or similar
constituents of FIGS. 1 through 9, and their repeated explanations
are omitted.
[0085] In a roof molding 30 of the present embodiment, slide plate
20 has a projection section 27 comprised of extending section 27a
extending from one direction of short side 24a of edge 24 of plate
body 21, and a vertical lever section 27c perpendicularly provided
from an end 27b of said extending section 27a.
[0086] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, here extending section 27a is
formed into approximately an L-shape while avoiding interference
with elastic section 25. As shown in FIG. 12, vertical lever
section 27c protrudes to the outside in the direction of vehicle
width by means of extending section 27a so as to abut against an
edge 18d of notch 18c formed in flange 18a of side wall 18 to the
outside in the direction of vehicle width (to the side of pillar
outer panel 3, right side of FIG. 12).
[0087] As shown in FIG. 13, the positional relationship between
edge 18d of notch 18c contacted by vertical lever section 27c and
opening 12 is such that, while a portion of plate body 21 is
exposed from opening 12, vertical level 27c contacts said notch
edge 18d to stop sliding movement of plate body 21. As a result,
slide plate 20 is prevented from going under the reverse side of
upper wall 11 of molding body 10 and from being unable to be pulled
out.
[0088] Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the
shape of projecting section 27, and it is only required to be
formed so that, together with slide plate 20 being stopped in the
state in which opening 12 is open, said projecting section 27 does
not obstruct the sliding movement of slide plate 20 by avoiding
interference with elastic section 25, bracket 6 and so forth over
the entire range of sliding movement of slide plate 20 as a result
of making contact with edges 18d and 19d of notches 18c and 19c
formed in one or both of side walls 18 and 19.
[0089] Similar to the roof molding 1 of the first embodiment,
opening and closing of opening 12 in roof molding 30 of the resent
embodiment can be realized by sliding slide plate 20 along shelf
sections 14a and 14b of molding body 10. In the present embodiment,
since projecting section 27, which stops the sliding movement of
slide plate 20 in the state in which opening 12 has been opened,
protrudes to the side of reverse side 21b of slide plate 20 and is
not exposed from opening 12, even in the state in which opening 12
is closed, a section that protrudes from opening 12 can be
eliminated, thereby resulting in an attractive appearance. In
addition, although there is the risk of slide plate 20 being opened
as a result of mistakenly contacting the projecting section during
cleaning of the roof and so forth in the case a projecting section
protrudes from opening 12, this problem does not occur in roof
molding 30 of the present embodiment.
[0090] Although the above has provided an explanation of the
present invention based on its preferred embodiments, the present
invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather can be
modified in various ways within a range that does not deviate from
the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following
drawings that show variations of the present invention, the same
reference symbols as those in the drawings used in the
aforementioned explanation are assigned to the same or similar
constituents in the previous explanation, and their repeated
explanations are omitted.
[0091] For example, a recess 28a as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B or
knurled grooves 28b as shown in FIG. 15 may be provided in the top
side of plate body 21 instead of tab 26 serving as a handle. When
the balls of the fingers and so forth are placed on the top side of
plate body 21, there is less likelihood of slipping, enabling slide
plate 20 to be moved easily. Handle 26 that protrudes beyond
ornamental surface 11a can then be omitted when fitting engaging
section 22 in opening 12.
[0092] The present invention preferably has a stopper that stops
the sliding movement of the slide plate when the opening is open,
and in the aforementioned embodiments, a tab was shown that serves
as a stopper capable of making contact with an opening edge or
notch of the molding body. In the present invention, other
constitutions may be employed for the aforementioned stopper, and
an example of such a constitution that can be employed consists of
forming a tab on the inner surface of the molding body that stops
the sliding movement of the slide plate by contacting the slide
plate when the opening is opened.
[0093] In the roof moldings of the aforementioned embodiments,
although recess 23 of slide plate 20 is formed at a level
difference from protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22, the
present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example,
as shown in FIG. 16, recess 23 may have a curved surface in the
shape of a curve that gradually becomes lower moving from
protruding edge 22a of engaging section 22. As a result, the level
difference in the vicinity of the border between protruding edge
22a of engaging section 22 and recess 23 is inconspicuous when
opening 12 of the roof molding is closed, and damage to the top
side of plate body 21 can be inhibited by preventing abrasion
between edge 12a of opening 12 and recess 23 while giving the
appearance of a flat surface. In addition, recess 23 makes it
difficult for dirt to accumulate and facilitates easy cleaning.
[0094] In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, upper surface 22a of
engaging section 22 may be in the form of a surface that is free of
any level differences without forming recess 23 in engaging section
22. In this case, the entire surface of engaging section 22 and
ornamental surface 11a of molding body 10 can be made flush.
[0095] In the aforementioned embodiments, although engaging section
22 of slide plate 20 was formed into the shape of a frame so as to
engage along the entire circumference of opening edge 12a, the
present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example,
as shown in FIG. 18, the present invention may have one or a
plurality of projections 29 (pointed projections) or ridges
(projections extending in a single direction). In this case as
well, slide plate 20 can be positioned and engaged with edge 12a of
opening 12 and a stable state can be maintained when opening 12 is
closed.
[0096] In the aforementioned embodiments, although an example was
shown in which notches 18c and 19c are formed to prevent
interference with a bracket, the present invention is not
particularly limited to this. For example, by attaching molding 1
to a body with an attachment means different from the
aforementioned embodiments, notches 18c and 19c are not required to
be provided in the case side walls 18 and 19 can be formed
substantially linearly from fold back parts 13a and 13b.
[0097] In addition, although side walls 18 and 19 are integrally
formed from shelf sections 14a and 14b facing bottom walls 4b of
concave grooves 4 in the aforementioned embodiments, side walls 18
and 19 are not required elements. In the case of being able to
apply another known mounting method for attaching molding body 10
to a body, side walls 18 and 19 can be omitted as in roof molding
40 shown in FIG. 19. Examples of other known mounting methods
include a structure in which one clip is engaged with one of shelf
sections 14a and 14b, while the other clip is engaged with the
other shelf section 14a or 14b.
[0098] Moreover, in the case of upper wall 11 that forms outer
surface 11a of molding body 10 is present beyond the opening width
of concave groove 4 as in roof molding 50 shown in FIG. 20, shelf
sections 14a and 14b may protrude from a location displaced towards
the center from both side edges 11c and 11d in the widthwise
direction of upper wall 11, and may be formed by bent sections 13c
and 13d that bend to the inside in the widthwise direction of upper
wall 11. Furthermore, bent sections 13c and 13d are able to
function in the same manner as fold back parts 13a and 13b with the
exception of not protruding from both side edges 11c and 11d of
upper wall 11.
[0099] As has been explained above, according to a vehicle roof
molding of the present invention, a slide plate can be housed
between an upper wall and shelf sections to enable said slide plate
to be guided while being able to slide between them. Consequently,
a cover body provided with guiding sections for the slide plate is
not required, and since the slide plate can be installed directly
in the vicinity of an opening of a molding body, the number of
parts can be reduced and costs can be lowered. Since the slide
plate has no undercut section therein, it is possible to reduce the
cost of the mold.
[0100] In addition, since the slide plate is biased towards the
upper wall of the molding body from the shelf sections by the
reactive force of elastic sections, the slide plate is pushed
against the upper wall and kept stationary by frictional force when
the opening is opened. When the slide plate is operated, the
frictional force with the upper wall is reduced as a result of the
slide plate being pushed in so as to move away from the upper wall,
thereby allowing the slide plate to be operated easily. When the
slide plate 20 is moved to the closed position, slide plate 20 is
engaged with opening 12 by biasing force of the elastic sections.
In this manner, the opening can be opened and closed by an
extremely simple operation.
[0101] Since the slide plate can be installed directly in the
vicinity of the opening of the molding body, it is possible to make
the size of the opening in the molding small. Consequently,
together with securing rigidity around the opening of the molding
body, the effects of thermal contraction of the slide plate can be
inhibited.
[0102] In the case the shelf sections are formed by fold back parts
that are bent back inwards in the widthwise direction of the upper
wall from said upper wall, the upper wall and shelf sections can be
integrally molded by bending back, thereby making it possible to
reduce costs. In addition, in the case of a molding containing a
metal section for the core, the metal section can be made to be
continuous from the upper wall to the shelf sections thereby
resulting in superior strength and durability.
[0103] In the case the surface side of the slide plate has a tab
which abuts against the edge of the opening when the slide is moved
to the fully open position, the tab fulfills the role of a stopper,
thereby eliminating the risk of the entire slide plate being
concealed on the bottom side of the molding body. In addition, this
can also be used as a handle (knob) when sliding the slide
plate.
[0104] When the slide plate is at the position where it fully
closes the opening, together with engaging with the opening edge of
the opening, in the case of having an engaging section that forms
substantially the same plane with the upper wall, the edge of the
opening of the molding is concealed by said engaging section
thereby resulting in an attractive appearance. In addition, in the
case the opening edge is exposed, although it is necessary to
remove any burrs from the opening edge so as to prevent injury to
the fingers and so forth when cleaning the molding, as a result of
the edge of the opening being concealed by the engaging section,
this removal of burrs from the opening edge can be omitted, thereby
reducing costs and ensuring safety.
[0105] In the case side walls in contact with the bottom walls of
concave grooves formed in the chassis panel are formed over the
entire lengthwise direction of the molding body, the molding sinks
into the concave grooves when the slide plate is opened and closed,
thereby eliminating the risk of deformation of the shelf sections
and so forth while also resulting in satisfactory workability.
[0106] In the case the edge of the bottom side of the slide plate
has a projecting section able to contact the edge of a notch in the
molding body when the slide plate is opened and closed, the
projecting section fulfills the role of a stopper when the slide
plate is opened, thereby making it possible to stop the movement of
the slide plate. In addition, since said projecting section is
provided on the bottom side of the slide plate, there are few
irregularities in the bottom side exposed from the opening, thereby
resulting in an attractive appearance.
* * * * *